Transcript of "Grammar"

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What is a Noun?A noun is a word used to name a person, animal, place, thing, and abstract idea. Nouns are usually the first words whichsmall children learn. The highlighted words in the following sentences are all nouns: Late last year our neighbours bought a goat. Portia White was an opera singer. The bus inspector looked at all the passengers passes. According to Plutarch, the library at Alexandria was destroyed in 48 B.C. Philosophy is of little comfort to the starving.A noun can function in a sentence as a subject, a direct object, anindirect object, a subject complement, an objectcomplement, anappositive, an adjective or an adverb.Noun GenderMany common nouns, like "engineer" or "teacher," can refer to men or women. Once, many English nouns would changeform depending on their gender -- for example, a man was called an "author" while a woman was called an "authoress" --but this use of gender-specific nouns is very rare today. Those that are still used occasionally tend to refer tooccupational categories, as in the following sentences. David Garrick was a very prominent eighteenth-century actor. Sarah Siddons was at the height of her career as an actress in the 1780s. The manager was trying to write a want ad, but he couldnt decide whether he was advertising for a "waiter" or a "waitress"Noun PluralsMost nouns change their form to indicate number by adding "-s" or "-es", as illustrated in the following pairs of sentences: When Matthew was small he rarely told the truth if he thought he was going to be punished. Many people do not believe that truths are self-evident. As they walked through the silent house, they were startled by an unexpected echo. I like to shout into the quarry and listen to the echoes that return. He tripped over a box left carelessly in the hallway. Since we are moving, we will need many boxes.There are other nouns which form the plural by changing the last letter before adding "s". Some words ending in "f" formthe plural by deleting "f" and adding "ves," and words ending in "y" form the plural by deleting the "y" and adding "ies," asin the following pairs of sentences: The harbour at Marble Mountain has one wharf. There are several wharves in Halifax Harbour. Warsaw is their favourite city because it reminds them of their courtship. The vacation my grandparents won includes trips to twelve European cities. The children circled around the headmaster and shouted, "Are you a mouse or a man?" The audience was shocked when all five men admitted that they were afraid of mice.Other nouns form the plural irregularly. If English is your first language, you probably know most of these already: when indoubt, consult a good dictionary.Possessive NounsIn the possessive case, a noun or pronoun changes its form to show that it owns or is closely related to something else.Usually, nouns become possessive by adding a combination of an apostrophe and the letter "s."You can form the possessive case of a singular noun that does not end in "s" by adding an apostrophe and "s," as in thefollowing sentences:

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The red suitcase is Cassandras. The only luggage that was lost was the prime ministers. The exhausted recruits were woken before dawn by the drill sergeants screams. The miners face was covered in coal dust.You can form the possessive case of a singular noun that ends in "s" by adding an apostrophe alone or by adding anapostrophe and "s," as in the following examples: The buss seats are very uncomfortable. The bus seats are very uncomfortable. The film crew accidentally crushed the platypuss eggs. The film crew accidentally crushed the platypus eggs. Felicia Hemanss poetry was once more popular than Lord Byrons. Felicia Hemans poetry was once more popular than Lord Byrons.You can form the possessive case of a plural noun that does not end in "s" by adding an apostrophe and a "s," as in thefollowing examples: The childrens mittens were scattered on the floor of the porch. The sheeps pen was mucked out every day. Since we have a complex appeal process, a jurys verdict is not always final. The mens hockey team will be playing as soon as thewomens team is finished. The hunter followed the mooses trail all morning but lost it in the afternoon.You can form the possessive case of a plural noun that does end in "s" by adding an apostrophe: The concert was interrupted by the dogs barking, the ducksquacking, and the babies squalling. The janitors room is downstairs and to the left. My uncle spent many hours trying to locate the squirrels nest. The archivist quickly finished repairing the diaries bindings. Religion is usually the subject of the roommates many late night debates.Using Possessive NounsWhen you read the following sentences, you will notice that a noun in the possessive case frequently functions as anadjective modifying another noun: The miners face was covered in coal dust.Here the possessive noun "miners" is used to modify the noun "face" and together with the article "the," they make upthe noun phrasethat is the sentences subject. The concert was interrupted by the dogs barking, the ducksquacking, and the babies squalling.In this sentence, each possessive noun modifies a gerund. The possessive noun "dogs" modifies "barking," "ducks"modifies "quacking," and "babies" modifies "squalling." The film crew accidentally crushed the platypuss eggs.In this example the possessive noun "platypuss" modifies the noun "eggs" and the noun phrase "the platypuss eggs" isthe direct object of the verb "crushed." My uncle spent many hours trying to locate the squirrels nest.In this sentence the possessive noun "squirrels" is used to modify the noun "nest" and the noun phrase "the squirrelsnest" is theobject of the infinitive phrase "to locate."Types Of NounsThere are many different types of nouns. As you know, you capitalise some nouns, such as "Canada" or "Louise," and donot capitalise others, such as "badger" or "tree" (unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence). In fact, grammarians

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have developed a whole series of noun types, including the proper noun, the common noun, the concrete noun, theabstract noun, the countable noun (also called the count noun), the non-countable noun (also called the mass noun), andthe collective noun. You should note that a noun will belong to more than one type: it will be proper or common, abstractor concrete, and countable or non-countable or collective.If you are interested in the details of these different types, you can read about them in the following sections.Proper NounsYou always write a proper noun with a capital letter, since the noun represents the name of a specific person, place, orthing. The names of days of the week, months, historical documents, institutions, organisations, religions, their holy textsand their adherents are proper nouns. A proper noun is the opposite of a common nounIn each of the following sentences, the proper nouns are highlighted: The Marroons were transported from Jamaica and forced to build the fortifications in Halifax. Many people dread Monday mornings. Beltane is celebrated on the first of May. Abraham appears in the Talmud and in the Koran. Last year, I had a Baptist, a Buddhist, and a Gardnerian Witch as roommates.Common NounsA common noun is a noun referring to a person, place, or thing in a general sense -- usually, you should write it with acapital letter only when it begins a sentence. A common noun is the opposite of a proper noun.In each of the following sentences, the common nouns arehighlighted: According to the sign, the nearest town is 60 miles away. All the gardens in the neighbourhood were invaded by beetlesthis summer. I dont understand why some people insist on having six different kinds of mustard in their cupboards. The road crew was startled by the sight of three large moosecrossing the road. Many child-care workers are underpaid.Sometimes you will make proper nouns out of common nouns, as in the following examples: The tenants in the Garnet Apartments are appealing the large and sudden increase in their rent. The meals in the Bouncing Bean Restaurant are less expensive than meals in ordinary restaurants. Many witches refer to the Renaissance as the Burning Times. The Diary of Anne Frank is often a childs first introduction to the history of the Holocaust.Concrete NounsA concrete noun is a noun which names anything (or anyone) that you can perceive through your physical senses: touch,sight, taste, hearing, or smell. A concrete noun is the opposite of a abstract noun.The highlighted words in the following sentences are all concrete nouns: The judge handed the files to the clerk. Whenever they take the dog to the beach, it spends hours chasing waves. The real estate agent urged the couple to buy the secondhouse because it had new shingles. As the car drove past the park, the thump of a disco tuneoverwhelmed the string quartets rendition of a minuet. The book binder replaced the flimsy paper cover with a sturdy, cloth-covered board.Abstract NounsAn abstract noun is a noun which names anything which you can notperceive through your five physical senses, and isthe opposite of a concrete noun. The highlighted words in the following sentences are all abstract nouns:

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Buying the fire extinguisher was an afterthought. Tillie is amused by people who are nostalgic about childhood. Justice often seems to slip out of our grasp. Some scientists believe that schizophrenia is transmitted genetically.Countable NounsA countable noun (or count noun) is a noun with both a singular and a plural form, and it names anything (or anyone)that you can count. You can make a countable noun plural and attach it to a plural verb in a sentence. Countable nounsare the opposite of non-countable nouns and collective nouns.In each of the following sentences, the highlighted words are countable nouns: We painted the table red and the chairs blue. Since he inherited his aunts library, Jerome spends everyweekend indexing his books. Miriam found six silver dollars in the toe of a sock. The oak tree lost three branches in the hurricane. Over the course of twenty-seven years, Martha Ballad delivered just over eight hundred babies.Non-Countable NounsA non-countable noun (or mass noun) is a noun which does not have a plural form, and which refers to something thatyou could (or would) not usually count. A non-countable noun always takes a singular verb in a sentence. Non-countablenouns are similar to collective nouns, and are the opposite of countable nouns.The highlighted words in the following sentences are non-countable nouns: Joseph Priestly discovered oxygen.The word "oxygen" cannot normally be made plural. Oxygen is essential to human life.Since "oxygen" is a non-countable noun, it takes the singular verb "is" rather than the plural verb "are." We decided to sell the furniture rather than take it with us when we moved.You cannot make the noun "furniture" plural. The furniture is heaped in the middle of the room.Since "furniture" is a non-countable noun, it takes a singular verb, "is heaped." The crew spread the gravel over the roadbed.You cannot make the non-countable noun "gravel" plural. Gravel is more expensive than I thought.Since "gravel" is a non-countable noun, it takes the singular verb form "is."Collective NounsA collective noun is a noun naming a group of things, animals, or persons. You could count the individual members of thegroup, but you usually think of the group as a whole is generally as one unit. You need to be able to recognise collectivenouns in order to maintain subject-verb agreement. A collective noun is similar to a non-countable noun, and is roughlythe opposite of a countable noun.

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In each of the following sentences, the highlighted word is a collective noun: The flock of geese spends most of its time in the pasture.The collective noun "flock" takes the singular verb "spends." The jury is dining on take-out chicken tonight.In this example the collective noun "jury" is the subject of the singularcompound verb "is dining." The steering committee meets every Wednesday afternoon.Here the collective noun "committee" takes a singular verb, "meets." The class was startled by the bursting light bulb.In this sentence the word "class" is a collective noun and takes the singular compound verb "was startled."===================================================================================What Is An Adjective?An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. An adjective usuallyprecedes the noun or the pronoun which it modifies.In the following examples, the highlighted words are adjectives: The truck-shaped balloon floated over the treetops. Mrs. Morrison papered her kitchen walls with hideous wall paper. The small boat foundered on the wine dark sea. The coal mines are dark and dank. Many stores have already begun to play irritating Christmasmusic. A battered music box sat on the mahogany sideboard. The back room was filled with large, yellow rain boots.An adjective can be modified by an adverb, or by a phrase or clausefunctioning as an adverb. In the sentence My husband knits intricately patterned mittens.for example, the adverb "intricately" modifies the adjective "patterned."Some nouns, many pronouns, and many participle phrases can also act as adjectives. In the sentence Eleanor listened to the muffled sounds of the radio hiddenunder her pillow.for example, both highlighted adjectives are past participles.Grammarians also consider articles ("the," "a," "an") to be adjectives.

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Possessive AdjectivesA possessive adjective ("my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," "their") is similar or identical to a possessivepronoun; however, it is used as an adjective and modifies a noun or a noun phrase, as in the following sentences: I cant complete my assignment because I dont have the textbook.In this sentence, the possessive adjective "my" modifies "assignment" and the noun phrase "my assignment"functions as anobject. Note that the possessive pronoun form "mine" is not used to modify a noun or noun phrase. What is your phone number.Here the possessive adjective "your" is used to modify the noun phrase "phone number"; the entire noun phrase"your phone number" is a subject complement. Note that the possessive pronoun form "yours" is not used tomodify a noun or a noun phrase. The bakery sold his favourite type of bread.In this example, the possessive adjective "his" modifies the noun phrase "favourite type of bread" and the entirenoun phrase "his favourite type of bread" is the direct object of the verb "sold." After many years, she returned to her homeland.Here the possessive adjective "her" modifies the noun "homeland" and the noun phrase "her homeland" is theobject of the preposition"to." Note also that the form "hers" is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases. We have lost our way in this wood.In this sentence, the possessive adjective "our" modifies "way" and the noun phrase "our way" is the direct objectof the compound verb"have lost". Note that the possessive pronoun form "ours" is not used to modify nouns ornoun phrases. In many fairy tales, children are neglected by their parents.Here the possessive adjective "their" modifies "parents" and the noun phrase "their parents" is the object of thepreposition "by." Note that the possessive pronoun form "theirs" is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases. The cat chased its ball down the stairs and into the backyard.In this sentence, the possessive adjective "its" modifies "ball" and the noun phrase "its ball" is the object of theverb "chased." Note that "its" is the possessive adjective and "its" is a contraction for "it is."Demonstrative AdjectivesThe demonstrative adjectives "this," "these," "that," "those," and "what" are identical to the demonstrativepronouns, but are used as adjectives to modify nouns or noun phrases, as in the following sentences: When the librarian tripped over that cord, she dropped a pile of books.In this sentence, the demonstrative adjective "that" modifies the noun "cord" and the noun phrase "that cord" isthe object of the preposition "over." This apartment needs to be fumigated.Here "this" modifies "apartment" and the noun phrase "this apartment" is the subject of the sentence.

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Even though my friend preferred those plates, I bought these.In the subordinate clause, "those" modifies "plates" and the noun phrase "those plates" is the object of the verb"preferred." In theindependent clause, "these" is the direct object of the verb "bought."Note that the relationship between a demonstrative adjective and a demonstrative pronoun is similar to therelationship between a possessive adjective and a possessive pronoun, or to that between a interrogative adjectiveand an interrogative pronoun.Interrogative AdjectivesAn interrogative adjective ("which" or "what") is like an interrogative pronoun, except that it modifies a noun ornoun phrase rather than standing on its own (see also demonstrative adjectives and possessive adjectives): Which plants should be watered twice a week?Like other adjectives, "which" can be used to modify a noun or a noun phrase. In this example, "which" modifies"plants" and the noun phrase "which plants" is the subject of the compound verb "should be watered": What book are you reading?In this sentence, "what" modifies "book" and the noun phrase "what book" is the direct object of the compoundverb "are reading."Indefinite AdjectivesAn indefinite adjective is similar to an indefinite pronoun, except that it modifies a noun, pronoun, or nounphrase, as in the following sentences: Many people believe that corporations are under-taxed.The indefinite adjective "many" modifies the noun "people" and the noun phrase "many people" is the subject ofthe sentence. I will send you any mail that arrives after you have moved to Sudbury.The indefinite adjective "any" modifies the noun "mail" and the noun phrase "any mail" is the direct object of thecompound verb "will send." They found a few goldfish floating belly up in the swan pound.In this example the indefinite adjective modifies the noun "goldfish" and the noun phrase is the direct object of theverb "found": The title of Kellys favourite game is "All dogs go to heaven."Here the indefinite pronoun "all" modifies "dogs" and the full title is a subject complement.====================================================================================

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What is an Adverb?An adverb can modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb, a phrase, or a clause. An adverb indicates manner,time, place, cause, or degree and answers questions such as "how," "when," "where," "how much".While some adverbs can be identified by their characteristic "ly" suffix, most of them must be identified byuntangling the grammatical relationships within the sentence or clause as a whole. Unlike an adjective, an adverbcan be found in various places within the sentence.In the following examples, each of the highlighted words is an adverb: The seamstress quickly made the mourning clothes.In this sentence, the adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "made" and indicates in what manner (or how fast) theclothing was constructed. The midwives waited patiently through a long labour.Similarly in this sentence, the adverb "patiently" modifies the verb "waited" and describes the manner in which themidwives waited. The boldly spoken words would return to haunt the rebel.In this sentence the adverb "boldly" modifies the adjective "spoken." We urged him to dial the number more expeditiously.Here the adverb "more" modifies the adverb "expeditiously." Unfortunately, the bank closed at three today.In this example, the adverb "unfortunately" modifies the entire sentence.Conjunctive AdverbsYou can use a conjunctive adverb to join two clauses together. Some of the most common conjunctive adverbsare "also," "consequently," "finally," "furthermore," "hence," "however," "incidentally," "indeed," "instead,""likewise," "meanwhile," "nevertheless," "next," "nonetheless," "otherwise," "still," "then," "therefore," and "thus."A conjunctive adverb is not strong enough to join two independent clauses without the aid of a semicolon.The highlighted words in the following sentences are conjunctive adverbs: The government has cut university budgets; consequently, class sizes have been increased. He did not have all the ingredients the recipe called for;therefore, he decided to make something else. The report recommended several changes to the ways the corporation accounted for donations; furthermore, it suggested that a new auditor be appointed immediately. The crowd waited patiently for three hours; finally, the doors to the stadium were opened. Batman and Robin fruitlessly searched the building; indeed, the Joker had escaped through a secret door in the basement.=====================================================================================

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What is Predicate ?IdentificationThe predicate modifies the subject of the sentence. It is composed of at least a verb that tells the action of thesentences purpose. In addition to the verb, predicates may also have objects of the verb, which tells to whom, towhat, or for whom, or for what the action is for. Predicates can also have phrases, as groups of words that furtherdescribe the action or the object mentioned in the predicate.SignificanceThe significance of predicates is that they tell us what the subject does, and this can be accomplished in variousways. Predicates can be composed of a combination of its typical elements to bring a descriptive palate to what isbeing discussed.Some sentences have predicates that are only composed of its verb. For example, "Jane runs." Predicates caninclude more elements, along with its basic verb. In "Tom drives the car," a direct object is used. Predicates canalso have a prepositional object, an object complement, an indirect object and adverb combinations.FunctionPredicates function to identify what and why the subject is doing what it does. "The cat." "The cat, what?" "The catdrank the milk." "Oh, I see." From the predicate, we can identify what is important to know. It allows the completecommunication of ideas associated with the subject at hand. The predicate also completes proper speech andlanguage, as it makes the communications logical and intellectual.TypesIn traditional English grammar, there exists two main categories of predicates. Predicate nominals contain nounsthat name the state of being of the subject. It identifies a characteristic or a static quality of the subject. Forexample, "Karen is a girl from Queens."The other category is the predicate adjective. The predicate adjective is a descriptive predicate that contains anadjective acting like the predicate. It describes the characteristics or features of the subject matter of the sentence.For example, "Karen is kind."Predicates have also been divided into subclasses by Greg N. Carlson. The first is the stage-level predicates thatidentify the current or temporary action of the subject. Stage-level predicates are temporarily true because thesubjects state can change. For example, "Julie is tired."The next subclass of predicates is the individual-level predicates. These predicates describe an action or featurethat is permanent of the subject. For example, "Matthew is Irish."Kind-level predicates describe the general actions or characteristics of a collective subject, but may or may notapply to its individual members. For example, "Roller coasters are scary." Well, this may be true of the larger,more steep roller coasters, but others may find the kiddy ones a delight to ride.ConsiderationsEssential to language expression is the use of words to describe what occurs, and how it occurs by its subjects.Predicates allow us to communicate complete ideas and thoughts, through the descriptions we give of the subjectmatters we communicate. What does the subject do? What is the subject like? How is the subject? What is itscharacteristics and qualities? The predicate adds the flavor of language description to the nominal things in ourlives.=================================================================================================================What is a Verb?The verb is perhaps the most important part of the sentence. A verbor compound verb asserts something aboutthe subject of the sentence and express actions, events, or states of being. The verb or compound verb is thecritical element of the predicate of a sentence.In each of the following sentences, the verb or compound verb ishighlighted: Dracula bites his victims on the neck.

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The verb "bites" describes the action Dracula takes. In early October, Giselle will plant twenty tulip bulbs.Here the compound verb "will plant" describes an action that will take place in the future. My first teacher was Miss Crawford, but I remember the janitor Mr. Weatherbee more vividly.In this sentence, the verb "was" (the simple past tense of "is") identifies a particular person and the verb"remember" describes a mental action. Karl Creelman bicycled around the world in 1899, but his diaries and his bicycle were destroyed.In this sentence, the compound verb "were destroyed" describes an action which took place in the past.====================================================================================What is a Pronoun?A pronoun can replace a noun or another pronoun. You use pronouns like "he," "which," "none," and "you" tomake your sentences less cumbersome and less repetitive.Grammarians classify pronouns into several types, including the personal pronoun, the demonstrative pronoun, theinterrogative pronoun, the indefinite pronoun, the relative pronoun, the reflexive pronoun, and the intensivepronoun.Personal PronounsA personal pronoun refers to a specific person or thing and changes its form to indicate person, number, gender,and case.Subjective Personal PronounsA subjective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as the subject of the sentence. Thesubjective personal pronouns are "I," "you," "she," "he," "it," "we," "you," "they."In the following sentences, each of the highlighted words is a subjective personal pronoun and acts as the subjectof the sentence: I was glad to find the bus pass in the bottom of the green knapsack. You are surely the strangest child I have ever met. He stole the selkies skin and forced her to live with him. When she was a young woman, she earned her living as a coal miner. After many years, they returned to their homeland. We will meet at the library at 3:30 p.m. It is on the counter. Are you the delegates from Malagawatch?Objective Personal PronounsAn objective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as an object of a verb, compoundverb, preposition, or infinitive phrase. The objective personal pronouns are: "me," "you," "her," "him," "it," "us,""you," and "them."In the following sentences, each of the highlighted words is an objective personal pronoun: Seamus stole the selkies skin and forced her to live with him.

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The objective personal pronoun "her" is the direct object of the verb "forced" and the objective personal pronoun"him" is the object of the preposition "with." After reading the pamphlet, Judy threw it into the garbage can.The pronoun "it" is the direct object of the verb "threw." The agitated assistant stood up and faced the angry delegates and said, "Our leader will address you in five minutes."In this sentence, the pronoun "you" is the direct object of the verb "address." Deborah and Roberta will meet us at the newest café in the market.Here the objective personal pronoun "us" is the direct object of the compound verb "will meet." Give the list to me.Here the objective personal pronoun "me" is the object of the preposition "to." Im not sure that my contact will talk to you.Similarly in this example, the objective personal pronoun "you" is the object of the preposition "to." Christopher was surprised to see her at the drag races.Here the objective personal pronoun "her" is the object of the infinitive phrase "to see."Possessive Personal PronounsA possessive pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as a marker of possession and defines who owns aparticular object or person. The possessive personal pronouns are "mine," "yours," "hers," "his," "its," "ours,"and "theirs." Note that possessive personal pronouns are very similar to possessive adjectives like "my," "her," and"their."In each of the following sentences, the highlighted word is a possessive personal pronoun: The smallest gift is mine.Here the possessive pronoun "mine" functions as a subject complement. This is yours.Here too the possessive pronoun "yours" functions as a subject complement. His is on the kitchen counter.In this example, the possessive pronoun "his" acts as the subject of the sentence. Theirs will be delivered tomorrow.In this sentence, the possessive pronoun "theirs" is the subject of the sentence. Ours is the green one on the corner.Here too the possessive pronoun "ours" function as the subject of the sentence.

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Demonstrative PronounsA demonstrative pronoun points to and identifies a noun or a pronoun. "This" and "these" refer to things thatare nearby either in space or in time, while "that" and "those" refer to things that are farther away in space ortime.The demonstrative pronouns are "this," "that," "these," and "those." "This" and "that" are used to referto singular nouns or noun phrasesand "these" and "those" are used to refer to plural nouns and noun phrases. Notethat the demonstrative pronouns are identical todemonstrative adjectives, though, obviously, you use themdifferently. It is also important to note that "that" can also be used as a relative pronoun.In the following sentences, each of the highlighted words is a demonstrative pronoun: This must not continue.Here "this" is used as the subject of the compound verb "must not continue." This is puny; that is the tree I want.In this example "this" is used as subject and refers to something close to the speaker. The demonstrative pronoun"that" is also a subject but refers to something farther away from the speaker. Three customers wanted these.Here "these" is the direct object of the verb "wanted."Interrogative PronounsAn interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions. The interrogative pronouns are "who," "whom," "which,""what" and the compounds formed with the suffix "ever" ("whoever," "whomever," "whichever," and "whatever").Note that either "which" or "what" can also be used as an interrogative adjective, and that "who," "whom," or"which" can also be used as a relative pronoun.You will find "who," "whom," and occasionally "which" used to refer to people, and "which" and "what" used to referto things and to animals."Who" acts as the subject of a verb, while "whom" acts as the object of a verb, preposition, or a verbal.The highlighted word in each of the following sentences is an interrogative pronoun: Which wants to see the dentist first?"Which" is the subject of the sentence. Who wrote the novel Rockbound?Similarly "who" is the subject of the sentence. Whom do you think we should invite?In this sentence, "whom" is the object of the verb "invite." To whom do you wish to speak?Here the interrogative pronoun "whom " is the object of the preposition "to." Who will meet the delegates at the train station?

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In this sentence, the interrogative pronoun "who" is the subject of the compound verb "will meet." To whom did you give the paper?In this example the interrogative pronoun "whom" is the object of the preposition "to." What did she say?Here the interrogative pronoun "what" is the direct object of the verb "say."Relative PronounsYou can use a relative pronoun is used to link one phrase or clauseto another phrase or clause. The relativepronouns are "who," "whom," "that," and "which." The compounds "whoever," "whomever," and "whichever" arealso relative pronouns.You can use the relative pronouns "who" and "whoever" to refer to the subject of a clause or sentence, and"whom" and "whomever" to refer to the objects of a verb, a verbal or a preposition.In each of the following sentences, the highlighted word is a relative pronoun. You may invite whomever you like to the party.The relative pronoun "whomever" is the direct object of the compound verb "may invite." The candidate who wins the greatest popular vote is not always elected.In this sentence, the relative pronoun is the subject of the verb "wins" and introduces the subordinate clause "whowins the greatest popular vote." This subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying "candidate." In a time of crisis, the manager asks the workers whom she believes to be the most efficient to arrive an hour earlier than usual.In this sentence "whom" is the direct object of the verb "believes" and introduces the subordinate clause "whomshe believes to be the most efficient". This subordinate clause modifies the noun "workers." Whoever broke the window will have to replace it.Here "whoever" functions as the subject of the verb "broke." The crate which was left in the corridor has now been moved into the storage closet.In this example "which" acts as the subject of the compound verb "was left" and introduces the subordinate clause"which was left in the corridor." The subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying the noun "crate." I will read whichever manuscript arrives first.Here "whichever" modifies the noun "manuscript" and introduces the subordinate clause "whichever manuscriptarrives first." The subordinate clause functions as the direct object of the compound verb "will read."Indefinite PronounsAn indefinite pronoun is a pronoun referring to an identifiable but not specified person or thing. An indefinitepronoun conveys the idea of all, any, none, or some.The most common indefinite pronouns are "all," "another," "any," "anybody," "anyone," "anything," "each,""everybody," "everyone," "everything," "few," "many," "nobody," "none," "one," "several," "some," "somebody,"and "someone." Note that some indefinite pronouns can also be used as indefinite adjectives.

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The highlighted words in the following sentences are indefinite pronouns: Many were invited to the lunch but only twelve showed up.Here "many" acts as the subject of the compound verb "were invited." The office had been searched and everything was thrown onto the floor.In this example, "everything" acts as a subject of the compound verb "was thrown." We donated everything we found in the attic to the womans shelter garage sale.In this sentence, "everything" is the direct object of theverb "donated." Although they looked everywhere for extra copies of the magazine, they found none.Here too the indefinite pronoun functions as a direct object: "none" is the direct object of "found." Make sure you give everyone a copy of the amended bylaws.In this example, "everyone" is the indirect object of the verb "give" -- the direct object is the noun phrase "a copyof the amended bylaws." Give a registration package to each.Here "each" is the object of the preposition "to."Reflexive PronounsYou can use a reflexive pronoun to refer back to the subject of the clause or sentence.The reflexive pronouns are "myself," "yourself," "herself," "himself," "itself," "ourselves," "yourselves," and"themselves." Note each of these can also act as an intensive pronoun.Each of the highlighted words in the following sentences is a reflexive pronoun: Diabetics give themselves insulin shots several times a day. The Dean often does the photocopying herself so that the secretaries can do more important work. After the party, I asked myself why I had faxed invitations to everyone in my office building. Richard usually remembered to send a copy of his e-mail tohimself. Although the landlord promised to paint the apartment, we ended up doing it ourselves.Intensive PronounsAn intensive pronoun is a pronoun used to emphasise its antecedent. Intensive pronouns are identical in form toreflexive pronouns.The highlighted words in the following sentences are intensive pronouns: I myself believe that aliens should abduct my sister. The Prime Minister himself said that he would lower taxes. They themselves promised to come to the party even though they had a final exam at the same time.